Soccer ref dies after player assault

The 46-year-old Salt Lake City youth soccer referee died Saturday after a week in a coma caused by an assault during a Monday game.

According to a police report, the trouble began April 27 at a youth match at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorville. As players jostled for position, Portillo saw the goalkeeper push an opponent with his hands.

Portillo lifted his “Yellow Card,” issuing a warning to the 17-year-old boy. He then began writing the infraction in his official’s notebook.

According to the police report, Portillo probably never saw the blow coming — a powerful punch to the head.

Feeling dizzy, Portillo sat down and began vomiting blood.

“He was laying on the ground, on his left side in a fetal position,” Officer Jason Huggard wrote. “Ricardo was complaining of pain in his face, back and being nauseated. ... He had spit up a small amount of blood in his saliva.”

Witnesses told police the teenage goalie was playing in his first game for the La Liga Continental de Futbol squad. The police press release announcing Portillo’s death said the teen remains in a juvenile detention facility. He has not been formally charged with any crime.

“Formal charges will be screened early next week with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office,” the press release said. “Since Portillo has passed away additional charges will be screened in connection with his death.”

Portillo’s family asked for privacy on Saturday. At a press conference Thursday at Intermountain Medical Center, and with Portillo’s prognosis grim, the family described their sorrow.

“This is really hard … it is destroying our whole family,” said Johana Portillo, a 26-year-old daughter. “This person caused us a lot of pain, for his daughters. ... We hope for a miracle that he’ll be OK.”

“I just want justice for my dad and we’re gonna get it,” Johana Portillo said later.

She added that if the player spends the rest of his life imprisoned, “it’s not going to bring my daddy back.”